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Madewell-Inspired Striped Silk Dress

This dress was inspired by a dress I saw at Madewell a while back. I’ve been loving the multi-directional stripes I’ve seen lately, but all the dresses I’ve found haven’t exactly been in a college girl’s budget. So I decided to just make my own!

The fabric is this denim blue-striped woven from Mood Fabrics. I liked working with it for the most part but I did have issues with ironing. I ironed the dress, starched it. Re-ironed it, and starched it again and it still looks a little wavy, especially on the skirt. I don’t mind because the fabric smells amazing now (ha) but I do wonder what I could have possibly done to prevent that.

See what I mean? Gahh it’s driving me crazy. Was it just the fabric or was it something on my part? I was wondering if it by chance could have been a grainline issue, since the skirt was cut on the crosswise grain (Google told me I could do it, I swear!), but I’m still not sure. Expert seamstresses out there, fill me in! What could I have been doing wrong?

Editor’s note: Sometimes a fabric just wants to wrinkle, especially if it’s a natural fiber fabric like this one. Things Haylee could try to lessen the wrinkling are interlining or flatlining the bodice with silk organza, or fusing the bodice pieces with a high-quality fusible interfacing. Personally I don’t think it looks bad at all, Haylee! —Meg

The bodice pattern and sleeves are vintage Simplicity 4802, I just lowered the neckline a bit and added a lining. I also made the sleeves longer and added cuffs. Then the skirt pattern is “self-drafted,” meaning I cut two large rectangles, pleated the top, and pretended like I knew what I was doing.

I added an exposed metal zipper down the back to give the dress a bit more contrast.

Overall I’m really pleased! It’s simple but sometimes those are the dresses you wear most often, you know? I’m actually making another one just like it, but just in this striped ticking fabric so I guess that goes to show you how much I like how it turned out. Haha hey, one can never have too many dresses right?

haha siren sailor, I love it! And I’ll take it isn’t it soo pretty? It’s Utah Lake so about an hour south of Great Salt Lake. People give it a bad rep and say it’s not that great of lake but I think it’s gorgeous!

I was just thinking how much I love the stuff you make, because it’s so simple but it has quite an impact! This is a great versatile dress, there are soo many different wants you can wear it. And, yeah dude, your background is gorgeous!

Lauren thank you! That really means a lot, thank you. I know I was pumped about the background, haha I’m not much of a photographer and all I have is my mom to take my photos so when I find a pretty background I’m like HECK yes.

One can never have too many dresses is correct! You look beautiful in this style and color. Hope you wear it a lot

CarolynOctober 26, 2013

I remember being a college student and squeezing sewing in between studying. So I’m in awe of this wonderful dress you’ve made. The details make it special and lovely! Great job and I’m sure the second dress will be just as pretty.